Silver River (film)

Last updated

Silver River
Silver River poster.jpg
Theatrical poster
Directed by Raoul Walsh
Written by Harriet Frank, Jr.
Based onstory by Stephen Longstreet
Produced byOwen Crump
Jack L. Warner
Starring Errol Flynn
Ann Sheridan
Thomas Mitchell
Cinematography Sidney Hickox
Edited byAlan Crosland Jr.
Music by Max Steiner
Production
company
Distributed byWarner Bros.
Release date
  • May 18, 1948 (1948-05-18)
Running time
110 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$3,204,000 [1] [2]
Box office$3,484,000 [3] [2]

Silver River is a 1948 American western film directed by Raoul Walsh and starring Errol Flynn, Ann Sheridan and Thomas Mitchell. The film is based on a Stephen Longstreet story that was turned into a novel. [4] It was produced and distributed by Warner Bros.

Contents

Plot

During the American Civil War, Army Captain Mike McComb is cashiered from the army when he disobeys orders in order to prevent the Confederates from stealing the one million dollars he is guarding by burning the money. After being publicly humiliated by the townspeople, he and his friend 'Pistol' Porter confiscate gambling equipment and set out to Silver City, Nevada to open a saloon and gambling hall. On his way to St. Joseph, Mike meets Georgia Moore, a beautiful, serious woman who runs the Silver River Mine with her husband, Stanley, and is currently hiring all the available wagons to transport the necessary mining equipment.

McComb wins ownership of the wagons in a poker game, much to Georgia's anger. Although he allows her to travel with him, she is unamused with McComb's playful behavior and soon abandons him. Once in Silver City, McComb, in a short time, builds the most successful saloon of the area. He hires John Plato Beck as his lawyer, an alcoholic but good-hearted man. Meanwhile, Georgia is worried when she finds out Stanley has bought the wagons from McComb in exchange for 6,000 shares in the mine. This is only worsened when it turns out that Stanley does not have the money to finish his smelter and turns to McComb, who demands a one-third interest in the mine. As he builds his empire, McComb opens a town bank, in which the townspeople can accept to pay vouchers in lieu of cash.

Georgia is not pleased when McComb usurps a visit by President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant. Encouraged by the President, McComb plans on extending his empire up to and including Black Rock Range. Although he is aware of the dangerous Shoshone Indians in that area, he assigns the pliable Stanley to realize his plans. When Plato makes him feel guilty, McComb warns Georgia about the danger her husband is in, but it turns out that they are too late: Stanley has been killed by the Indians.

After the funeral, Georgia briefly visits San Francisco and is romanced by McComb upon her return. During a formal dinner party to launch their new mansion, Plato throws a tantrum while drunk and breaks up the party with accusations against McComb. The townspeople start to lose their faith in McComb and withdraw their money from his bank. To worsen matters, the other owners try to corner the silver market. Georgia begs McComb to reopen the mines, and when he refuses, she leaves him. Soon after, McComb is forced to file for bankruptcy. Meanwhile, Plato runs for the United States Senate and in front of a crowd is killed by his competition, Banjo Sweeney. McComb convinces the townspeople to avenge Plato's death. However, when Sweeney is about to be killed by the mob, McComb stops them and convinces them to allow Sweeney to stand trial. He promises to make Silver City a better place, and Georgia, impressed with McComb's new attitude, reunites with him.

Cast

Production

Development

The film began as an original story for the screen by Stephen Longstreet, who had written Stallion Road . Longstreet said he got the historical aspects of the story from his grandfather Stephen Longstreet, a cousin of General James Longstreet. [5]

It was bought by Warner Bros announced in December 1946 that they would make it as a vehicle for Humphrey Bogart with Owen Crump to produce. [6] Warners hired Longstreet to turn his story into a screenplay. [7] [8]

Before the film was made, Longstreet received an offer to have his story published as a novel. [9] [10] In August 1947 Warners ordered 100,000 copies of the novel to be published by Ross Press. [11]

By February 1947 Errol Flynn's name was linked to the movie. [12] By April both Flynn and Ann Sheridan were signed as leads. [13] Ann Sheridan later said the film "was not a good picture" and Jack Warner "was amazed that I accepted it" but that "Errol Flynn was a big box office name and women didn't get to do Westerns very often and I thought it might be a good combination and I thought that it might turn into a good picture. Unfortunately it didn't." [14]

Raoul Walsh agreed to take on direction, determined to keep the film's star Errol Flynn on a "short leash". [15] Flynn had gained an infamous reputation in Hollywood for his behavior and drinking habits. [15]

Longstreet later wrote that "by 1947 Flynn had deteriorated. His drinking dominated, and I suspect drugs too; his wives, he'd say, were like shackles. And he was finding it hard to face a camera. The drinking had angered Warner Bros and he was about to be let go." [16] Longstreet says Ann Sheridan was known for "lapping up the sauce" as well, and claims Walsh told him "Kid, write it fast. They're not drinking. They promised Jack Warner that, but you never know." [16]

In April, Thomas Mitchell signed to play the third lead. [17]

Filming

The production started in April 1947. It was Flynn's first movie since last August 1946 when he finished making Cry Wolf. In between he had made a long cruise on the Zaca which was turned into the movie The Cruise of the Zaca and was a period where he bought property on Jamaica. [18]

The movie was shot in Warner Bros studio and on location in Bishop City, California. It was a big budget effort with hundreds of extras and over 75 speaking parts. [5]

Longstreet says "at first the shooting of the picture went well. Work was good and Walsh, experienced at handling actors, kept matters in control." [19] However the writer says one morning he arrived on set to find Walsh tearing pages out of the script because they contained "too much yak-yak." Longstreet says "I knew then the picture was in trouble." [19]

Throughout the shoot Flynn and Sheridan would sip ice water which contained vodka. Flynn told Longstreet "I can't make head nor tail of your story." [19]

Ann Sheridan also held up production when she fell ill with laryngitis. Jack L. Warner wrote the following memo during the shoot:

If Flynn is late, if liquor is being used so that from the middle of the afternoon on it is impossible for the director to make any more scenes with Flynn, if liquor is brought on the set or into the studio we must hold Flynn legally and financially responsible for any delay in making the picture. We may go so far as to abrogate the entire contract and sue him for damages...We will never again make pictures where Flynn or any other artist becomes incoherent due to liquor or whatever it may be...This has happened repeatedly during the last pictures we have made in which Flynn has appeared and we cannot permit it any longer. [15]

Longstreet said "the stars' behavior resulted in delays, which led to cost overruns, which forced the studio heads to declare Silver River was finished. It is the only studio picture I know of for which there is no ending; the picture ends in midair, but no one, as far as I know, ever bothered to ask why." [19]

Filming was complete by August. [20] Flynn and Walsh never worked together again. [21]

Reception

Critical

The New York Times said Walsh crammed "all the excitement... into the first ten minutes or so" and argued the film "went downhill after that." [22] The Los Angeles Times said it "boasts all the trimmings." [23]

Filmink magazine called it "a poor movie. After an exciting opening sequence set during the Civil War (which feels like it was tacked on to jazz things up after an unsuccessful preview because it doesn’t have that much to do with the plot), the story slows down and becomes this weird slog." [24]

Box office

Variety estimated that by the end of 1948 the film had earned $2.2 million in rentals in the US. [25] This was an improvement on recent Flynn vehicles. [26]

The film recorded admissions of 1,416,488 in France. [27]

According to Warner Bros records, the film earned $2,174,000 domestically and $1,310,000 overseas. [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Errol Flynn</span> Australian actor (1909–1959)

Errol Leslie Thomson Flynn was an Australian-American actor who achieved worldwide fame during the Golden Age of Hollywood. He was known for his romantic swashbuckler roles, frequent partnerships with Olivia de Havilland, and reputation for his womanising and hedonistic personal life. His most notable roles include Robin Hood in The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), which was later named by the American Film Institute as the 18th-greatest hero in American film history, the lead role in Captain Blood (1935), Major Geoffrey Vickers in The Charge of the Light Brigade (1936), and the hero in a number of Westerns such as Dodge City (1939), Santa Fe Trail, Virginia City and San Antonio (1945).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ann Sheridan</span> American actress and singer (1915–1967)

Clara Lou "Ann" Sheridan was an American actress and singer. She is best known for her roles in the films San Quentin (1937) with Humphrey Bogart, Angels with Dirty Faces (1938) with James Cagney and Bogart, They Drive by Night (1940) with George Raft and Bogart, City for Conquest (1940) with Cagney and Elia Kazan, The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942) with Bette Davis, Kings Row (1942) with Ronald Reagan, Nora Prentiss (1947), and I Was a Male War Bride (1949) with Cary Grant.

<i>Edge of Darkness</i> (1943 film) 1943 film by Lewis Milestone

Edge of Darkness is a 1943 World War II film directed by Lewis Milestone that features Errol Flynn, Ann Sheridan, and Walter Huston. The feature is based on a script written by Robert Rossen which was adapted from the 1942 novel The Edge of Darkness by William Woods.

<i>Virginia City</i> (film) 1940 film directed by Michael Curtiz

Virginia City is a 1940 American Western film directed by Michael Curtiz and starring Errol Flynn, Miriam Hopkins, Randolph Scott, and a mustachioed Humphrey Bogart in the role of the real-life outlaw John Murrell. Based on a screenplay by Robert Buckner, the film is about a Union officer who escapes from a Confederate prison and is sent to Virginia City from where his former prison commander is planning to send five million dollars in gold to Virginia to save the Confederacy. The film premiered in its namesake, Virginia City, Nevada. The film was shot in black and white (sepiatone).

<i>Santa Fe Trail</i> (film) 1940 film

Santa Fe Trail is a 1940 American western film directed by Michael Curtiz and starring Errol Flynn as J. E. B. "Jeb" Stuart, Olivia de Havilland, Raymond Massey as John Brown, Ronald Reagan as George Armstrong Custer and Alan Hale. Written by Robert Buckner, the film is critical of the abolitionist John Brown and his controversial campaign against slavery before the American Civil War. In a subplot, Jeb Stuart and George Armstrong Custer—who are depicted as friends from the same West Point graduating class—compete for the hand of Kit Carson Holliday.

<i>The Charge of the Light Brigade</i> (1936 film) 1936 film by Michael Curtiz

The Charge of the Light Brigade is a 1936 American historical adventure film from Warner Bros., starring Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland. It was directed by Michael Curtiz and produced by Samuel Bischoff, with Hal B. Wallis as the executive producer. The film's screenplay is by Michael Jacoby and Rowland Leigh, from a story by Michael Jacoby, and based on the 1854 poem "The Charge of the Light Brigade" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. The music score was composed by Max Steiner, his first for Warner Bros., and the cinematography was by Sol Polito. Scenes were shot at the following California locations: Lone Pine, Sherwood Lake, Lasky Mesa, Chatsworth, and Sonora. The Sierra Nevada mountains were used for the Khyber Pass scenes.

<i>Fours a Crowd</i> 1938 film by Michael Curtiz

Four's a Crowd is a 1938 American romantic comedy film directed by Michael Curtiz, starring Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Rosalind Russell and Patric Knowles. The picture was written by Casey Robinson and Sig Herzig from a story by Wallace Sullivan. This was the fourth of nine films in which Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland appeared.

<i>Northern Pursuit</i> 1943 film by Raoul Walsh

Northern Pursuit is a 1943 American World War II adventure thriller film directed by Raoul Walsh and starring Errol Flynn as a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) who tries to uncover a Nazi plot against the Allied war effort. The film was set in Canada during the early years of the war.

<i>Gentleman Jim</i> (film) 1942 film by Raoul Walsh

Gentleman Jim is a 1942 film directed by Raoul Walsh and starring Errol Flynn as heavyweight boxing champion James J. Corbett (1866–1933). The supporting cast includes Alexis Smith, Jack Carson, Alan Hale, William Frawley, and Ward Bond as John L. Sullivan. The movie was based upon Corbett's 1894 autobiography, The Roar of the Crowd. The role was one of Flynn's favorites.

<i>Adventures of Don Juan</i> 1948 film by Vincent Sherman

Adventures of Don Juan is a 1948 American Technicolor swashbuckling adventure romance film directed by Vincent Sherman and starring Errol Flynn and Viveca Lindfors, with Robert Douglas, Alan Hale, Ann Rutherford, and Robert Warwick. Also in the cast are Barbara Bates, Raymond Burr, and Mary Stuart. The film was distributed by Warner Bros. and produced by Jerry Wald. The screenplay by George Oppenheimer and Harry Kurnitz, based on a story by Herbert Dalmas, has uncredited contributions by William Faulkner and Robert Florey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Errol Flynn filmography</span>

The film appearances of movie actor Errol Flynn (1909–1959) are listed here, including his short films and one unfinished feature.

<i>That Forsyte Woman</i> 1949 film by Compton Bennett

That Forsyte Woman is a 1949 American romantic drama film directed by Compton Bennett and starring Greer Garson, Errol Flynn, Walter Pidgeon, Robert Young and Janet Leigh. It is an adaptation of the 1906 novel The Man of Property, the first book in The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy.

<i>Green Light</i> (1937 film) 1937 film by Frank Borzage

Green Light is a 1937 American drama film directed by Frank Borzage and starring Errol Flynn, Anita Louise and Margaret Lindsay. The film is adapted from a novel written by Lloyd C. Douglas. The novel is closely related to Douglas' previous book, Magnificent Obsession, which was also adapted as a movie. It was Flynn's first starring role in a studio film that was not an action movie.

<i>The Case of the Curious Bride</i> 1935 film by Michael Curtiz

The Case of the Curious Bride is a 1935 American mystery film, the second in a series of four starring Warren William as Perry Mason, following The Case of the Howling Dog. The script was based on the 1934 novel of the same name by Erle Stanley Gardner, published by William Morrow and Company, which proved to be one of the most popular of all the Perry Mason novels.

<i>Footsteps in the Dark</i> (film) 1941 film by Lloyd Bacon

Footsteps in the Dark is a 1941 American comedy mystery film directed by Lloyd Bacon and starring Errol Flynn, Brenda Marshall and Ralph Bellamy. It was produced and distributed by Warner Brothers. Flynn plays a novelist and amateur detective investigating a murder. It takes its title from the 1935 play Footsteps in the Dark by Ladislas Fodor and also used material from the 1937 play Blondie White by Jeffrey Dell.

<i>Never Say Goodbye</i> (1946 film) 1946 film by James V. Kern

Never Say Goodbye is a 1946 American romantic comedy film directed by James V. Kern and starring Errol Flynn, Eleanor Parker, and Lucile Watson. Produced and distributed by Warner Brothers, it is about a divorced couple and the daughter who works to bring them back together. It was Errol Flynn's first purely comedic role since Footsteps in the Dark.

<i>Cry Wolf</i> (1947 film) 1947 film by Peter Godfrey

Cry Wolf is a 1947 American mystery film noir directed by Peter Godfrey and starring Errol Flynn, Barbara Stanwyck and Geraldine Brooks. It was produced and distributed by Warner Bros. It is based on the 1945 novel of the same name by Marjorie Carleton.

<i>The Perfect Specimen</i> 1937 film by Michael Curtiz

The Perfect Specimen is a 1937 American romantic comedy film directed by Michael Curtiz and starring Errol Flynn and Joan Blondell. The picture is based on a novel by Samuel Hopkins Adams.

<i>Montana</i> (1950 film) 1950 film by Ray Enright

Montana is a 1950 American Western film directed by Ray Enright and starring Errol Flynn. It was only the second time Flynn played an Australian on screen, the first time being Desperate Journey (1942).

<i>Another Dawn</i> (1937 film) 1937 film by William Dieterle

Another Dawn is a 1937 American melodrama film directed by William Dieterle and starring Errol Flynn, Kay Francis and Ian Hunter. It is based on Somerset Maugham's 1919 play Caesar's Wife. It was produced and distributed by Warner Brothers. The film received dismissive reviews.

References

  1. ↑ H. Mark Glancy, "Warner Bros Film Grosses" Historical Journal of Film, Radio, and Television
  2. 1 2 3 Warner Bros financial information in The William Shaefer Ledger. See Appendix 1, Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television, (1995) 15:sup1, 1-31 p 28 DOI: 10.1080/01439689508604551
  3. ↑ "Warner Bros Film Grosses" Historical Journal of Film, Radio, and Television
  4. ↑ Info "Screenplay Info for Silver River (1948)". Turner Classic Movies . Retrieved January 31, 2010.{{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  5. 1 2 Hollywood Letter By Frank Daugherty Special to The Christian Science Monitor. The Christian Science Monitor 6 June 1947: 5.
  6. ↑ Looking at Hollywood Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune 19 Dec 1946: 43.
  7. ↑ NEWS OF THE SCREEN: New York Times 19 Dec 1946: 42.
  8. ↑ DRAMA AND FILM: WARNERS' 'SILVER RIVER' TO REVIVE RUGGED DAYS Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 18 Feb 1947: A2.
  9. ↑ DRAMA AND FILM: Wallis Names DeFore Star of 'Paid in Full' Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 26 June 1947: A2.
  10. ↑ FOX WILL DO FILM ON KLEMPNER BOOK: 8 Stars to Appear in Version of 'A Letter to 5 Wives' -- Warners Enlarging Studio. New York Times 26 June 1947: 20.
  11. ↑ "Literati". Variety. August 20, 1947. p. 53.
  12. ↑ DRAMA AND FILM: Warners' 'Silver River' to Revive Rugged Days Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 18 Feb 1947: A2.
  13. ↑ MITCHUM TO STAR IN STEINBECK FILM: New York Times 1 Apr 1947: 33.
  14. ↑ Killer Tomatoes: Fifteen Tough Film Dames by Ray Hagen, Laura Wagner, McFarland, 17 Sep. 2004 p 187
  15. 1 2 3 "Silver River: Overview Article". Turner Classic Movies . Retrieved January 31, 2010.
  16. 1 2 Longstreet p 158
  17. ↑ MYRNA LOY SIGNED FOR 'THE RED PONY': New York Times 3 Apr 1947: 32.
  18. ↑ DRAMA AND FILM: Carter, Wynn Teaming in 'Century' Talked Up Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 22 Apr 1947: A3.
  19. 1 2 3 4 Longstreet p 159
  20. ↑ Errol Flynn Quieter but Seeks New Adventures Strong, E J. Los Angeles Times24 Aug 1947: C1.
  21. ↑ Tony Thomas, Rudy Behlmer, Clifford McCarty, The Films of Errol Flynn, Citadel Press, 1969 p 153
  22. ↑ 'Silver River,' With Errol Flynn, Ann Sheridan at Strand -- French Film in Bow T.M.P. New York Times ]22 May 1948: 8.
  23. ↑ 'Silver River,' Saga of West, at Warners Scott, John L. Los Angeles Times 22 May 1948: 7.
  24. ↑ Vagg, Stephen (November 24, 2019). "The Films of Errol Flynn: Part 4 – Going to Seed". Filmink.
  25. ↑ "Top Grossers of 1948". Variety. January 5, 1949. p. 46.
  26. ↑ "National Box office Survey". Variety. June 2, 1948. p. 3.
  27. ↑ 1950 French Box office figures at Box Office Story

Notes

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.